train medical staff in how to use devices, and provide technical support when devices are in use.

Skills and knowledge

Biomedical engineers need to have:

knowledge of engineering and biology

design skills

skill in computer modelling and software design

skill in interpreting design specifications

knowledge of anatomy and physiology (the science of how the body functions), and medical terms.

Working conditions

Biomedical engineers:

usually work normal business hours, but may work long hours on projects or after hours if they work for a hospital

work in offices, factories, research institutes, hospitals and rehabilitation units

may travel overseas for research and conferences.

What's the job really like?

Ben O'Brien

Research Fellow, Biomedical Engineering

What was your first success?

"Our team built an artificial muscle controller during our PhDs – and we’ve sold it to labs overseas. It is safety-certified, which is a big deal – you can connect it to your grandmother and she'll be OK."

What are your goals?

"Moving artificial muscles out of the lab and into the real world – generating energy from human motion is a nice place to start.

"Maybe you want warm feet. You could capture energy every time you take a step and make it heat your shoe, or maybe your handbag has a generator in it and anything inside can be charged."

What do you find most enjoyable about your work?

"Access to toys, equipment – things that help us get stuff done here. And I like the shared history of trials and tribulations we've gone through as a team."

Electronics engineers design and oversee production of electronic equipment such as radios, televisions, computers, washing machines and telecommunication systems. They may also work in sales and technical support.

Mechanical engineers design and give advice on the building and repair of machines and tools. They also investigate problems and faults with machinery, and study ways to improve manufacturing and energy production.